Magic fans chant for Dwight Howard at scrimmage, but he clearly does not want to be in Orlando

Howard hears pleas during public scrimmage

December 17, 2011|Brian Schmitz, Magic Insider

This wasn't as much an intrasquad scrimmage as it was an intervention.

About 6,400 Magic fans trekked to Amway Center to largely remind Dwight Howard that he is loved unconditionally and doesn't have to run away from home.

They'd even let him miss all the free throws he wants.

Everyone knows Howard has demanded that another NBA city should have the privilege of cheering him fulltime at ridiculous prices.

I doubt even Dr. Drew could stop Dwight's addiction to leaving, but it was worth a try.

There was much groveling.

When he was introduced to the Magic crowd on Saturday at this free, open house to the 2011-12 season, not a discouraging word was heard. No boos, not a one, just a roar from the dutiful faithful.

So much for tough love.

If this were Philadelphia, Howard might need a whip and a chair to keep some angry, betrayed season ticket-holders at bay.

But this is Orlando, where we wear a "Kick Me" sign on our backs, not to bring up the sore subject of Shaq. Dwight won't be jeered until he makes his returns wearing another uniform, and likely, some rings.

Pockets of fans chanted, "Please, stay Dwight!" before the practice began. A man took a lap around the arena floor, flashing a placard that read, "FIGHT FOR DWIGHT!"

All the No. 12 jerseys and Superman t-shirts on display made the place look like a Dwight Howard merchandising show. That stuff might be 50 percent off soon or found one day in a grocery shopping cart with bent cans of Pork 'n Beans.

The scene was surreal at times, fans blurting pleas for Dwight to stay while teammates fed their most dependable option the ball.

Stan Van Gundy walked around, miked, coaching players who could be gone at any time if they're packaged with Howard.

While the Magic were rolling out the welcome wagon for fans, this very well could have been a going-away party.

Howard's likely exit hasn't deterred Ryan Totka, a Magic fan and sports celebrity booking agent. He started the StayDwight.com campaign and organized funding for billboards last season, spending $12,000 on his own.

Saturday, he provided fans signs and StayHoward t-shirts with the help of a local printing company. He produced signs that read, "SUPERMAN, THIS IS YOUR METROPOLIS!"

Totka said he hoped the crowd reaction "gives Dwight a chill down his spine. It's crazy to see this, everyone here showing support. The community needs this, needs a voice, and if you're a player, you've got to get a chill."

Howard didn't exactly sound like he had goose bumps.

"It was great. I didn't know what to expect," he said. "It means a lot, not only to myself, but to the guys on the team."

Howard said he saw a few of the signs. "I appreciate the city and everything the city has done for me. ..but our goal is to practice and get better," he said.

He has taken the emotion out of the equation now, defusing the saga for the team's sake. There's no greater tell than his detachment.

Make no mistake: Dwight doesn't want to be here.

After delivering a half-hearted hint on Monday that he might stay -- a strategy to calm the turbulence -- he reiterated his desire to be moved only a few days later.

He is simply waiting for the Magic to trade him.

"I want Dwight to be here forever," Magic fan B.J. "Buddy" Reed said. "You hope there's a chance he changes his mind. We're all here to try to change his mind. But, really….it sounds like the team has to look at what we can get back in a trade."

Time for fans to stop pleading for Dwight to stay and start asking what he can deliver.